#24 (October): Participate in one volunteer/non-profit activity each month.

Date Completed: 10/31/2010

Since I started sharing THE LIST, I've probably had the most interest in this series of posts about volunteering. A frequent question has been "How do you find time for all of this?" My reply is usually the same. In order to be most efficient with my time, I try to combine lots of things - friends, fun and volunteering. Whenever Lisa and I can, we volunteer together which is enjoyable in itself! I also find fulfillment in participating in events that I enjoy or have a close tie to. For example, I like to run, so it's fun for me to help at races. This particular post relates to helping a group I'm closely tied to.

In February (#24 on THE LIST), I wrote about my very special friend, Jamie, who is fighting her battle with Cystic Fibrosis (CFF). Jamie is simply the most amazing woman I've ever met. She has spent the month of October at the University of Minnesota medical center as she is struggling with her condition. If you'd like to learn more about her, read Jamie's Caring Bridge site. My October activity was to sign up as the team captain for the 2011 Climb for a Cure event in Minneapolis. Traditionally, Jamie would have led this team but since she needs every ounce of energy to fight her fight, I'm going to champion this cause. In February, our team (J's Crew) will take on the IDS Center stairwell again by climbing over 50 flights of stairs as a fundraiser for CFF in Jamie's honor.

If you are in the Minneapolis area and would like to join the J's Crew team, please register - we'd love to have you! If you're not able to climb, but would like to donate to support me as I make this trek for the third year in a row, I would be honored. Any donation is welcome and more than appreciated! Last year, J's Crew was over 50 climbers strong and we raised nearly $10,000 for this wonderful non-profit.

#55: Dress up for Halloween.

Date Completed: 10/29/2010

Wow - this has been such a busy couple of weeks! I apologize for being so slow to post an update. This list item was one I actually stole from Lisa way back when. The reason it made the list is because a year ago, I couldn't even fathom the idea of putting on a costume. Well, times have certainly changed! Now, I'll dress up for any occasion I can find (mostly just brunch, but still - haha). Anyway, it was so much fun doing the costume thing this year. I swear I spent so much time in the Halloween store by my house that the manager wanted to give me a commission for everyone I brought in. The big event downtown was on a Friday night this year. I went as Little Red Riding Hood, but our group had a ton of diversity (prom king, Glee Cheerio, caveman, cowboy, Alice in Wonderland, Minnie Mouse, Mario and Luigi, mechanic, Rocky Horror Picture Show characters, 1950's housewife, devil, etc.). It was pretty crazy. We had so much fun though! Sign me up for this kind of fun ever year!

#37: Spread the ashes.

Date Completed: 10/17/2010

This is definitely the most special item on my list and honestly, without THE LIST, I probably would have continued to procrastinate. It was a beautiful experience – one that words can’t begin to describe.

#66: Make an effort to be objective, especially when it’s most difficult.

Date Completed: 9/24/2010

We don’t always agree. And, we don’t have to. But when we disagree, we have an opportunity to do the right thing – to listen, be objective and show respect. Depending on how heated the moment becomes, instinct might drive some to lash out or chose words unwisely. I believe that the true depth and quality of a relationship, though, can be revealed in the way that two individuals seek to resolve conflict. Think for a moment about the last argument you had. What was your goal? How did you act? How did you react? If given the opportunity to handle it again, would you respond differently? I am checking this item off THE LIST because when faced with an opportunity to make the right decision, act responsibly and stand up for what I believe, I was mature, objective and respectful. It was difficult at the time, but we make choices every day, whether it’s the little things or big decisions. Each decision has consequences – and each decision can have great rewards. Robert Frost’s quote below resonates in my mind:

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”

#51: Try a new recipe.

Date Completed: 10/9/2010

Things I learned the night I threw a “Girls Night In” party at my place:

1. Everyone should own a food warmer. It was one of my smartest purchases…right up there with the pineapple corer.
2. Girls love kitchens. Don’t worry about preparing other areas of the house. It’s all about the stories, laughter and munchies. Just bring out the folding chairs and enjoy!
3. It’s fun to try new appetizers, but remember that nothing beats a ham/pickle rollup so you don’t actually have to be gourmet.
4. Stemless wine glasses rock. Buy them. Lots of them.
5. Don’t even attempt to stuff cherry tomatoes. They’re so not worth it.

Below is one of the new appetizers I made.  It was a huge hit!

Endive Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Walnuts
1/2 C. chopped walnuts
2 T. honey, divided
Cooking spray
1/4 C. balsamic vinegar
1/4 C. orange juice
2-3 heads of Belgian endive leaves
1 small tub of crumbled goat cheese
2 navel oranges, peeled and segmented

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Toss walnuts and 1 T. honey; spread on baking sheet coated with cooking spray; bake 10 minutes at 350°, stirring after 5 minutes
• Combine 1 T. honey, vinegar and orange juice in a small saucepan; bring to a boil (be careful it doesn’t boil over) and cook until reduced to 3 tablespoons
• Cut orange segments into pieces (I made three pieces out of each segment)
• Arrange endive leaves on a serving plate; fill each leaf with 1-2 orange sections; top each section with cheese and walnuts
• Drizzle a small amount of the vinegar mixture evenly over leaves

#24 (September): Participate in one volunteer/non-profit activity each month.

Date Completed: 9/25/2010

Before I write about this list item, I wanted to say thank you. Thank YOU for supporting my blog! This blog has had over 800 hits from 10 countries, which is more than I had ever imagined. I hope you're finding it enjoyable and inspirational.

This month, I donated time to support Arc in New Hope, MN at their Value Village thrift shop. The day started with me preparing jewelry for the shelves and ended with me sorting clothing donations. I volunteered here in 2009 as well and found it an enjoyable experience both times. Arc’s mission is “to secure for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families the opportunity to realize their goals of where and how they live, learn, work and play.” It was a fun morning for me and everyone was super nice. Even a couple hours of your time is appreciated by non-profits. If you’re looking for an event where you could help, consider VolunteerMatch.org.